It's an India - Pakistan Thing

A joint venture of Rotaract Club of UPG & Rotaract Club of Lahore. We are here to voice the thoughts, opinions and observations of the youth of India and Pakistan who want a better future for their respective countries and the region. We try to raise issues of importance, and at the same time bring our similarities (surprise!) to the fore. We will be doing our bit; hope you join us too in spreading this message of peace.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

The quote ‘Violence is the last refuge of the
incompetent’ best explains the murders of Sarbajit and Sanaullah.

To think that for some this is how justice is
defined is reflective of the state of humanity we are living in and it’s
shameful. There is no justification for this attitude. This mentality is both horrifying and sad.

Countries like India & Pakistan are already
facing a plethora of issues and instead of adding to the list, it is better
that we look for solutions collectively. Our problems range from the very basic
to the extreme complexities. A big percentage of our population doesn’t even
have access to the basic necessities of life. Incidents like these are not
going to add to the fuel of mistrust and hatred.

‘When one man dies, it’s a tragedy, but when many
people die, it’s a statistic’.

It is sad that with all that rage between these two
countries, there are a lot of things where we stand at the same level, &
the state of human rights in both countries is one such common feature. Neither
side can claim that they are the champions of human rights and at times the
situation gets really disappointing.

However, in this madness the rays of hope come from
individuals within our societies, the small acts of individuals that represent
all that is the essence of humanity. This is when the solution becomes clear.
The need is for the proper implementation of the laws that are already there
for the equal rights and protection of humanity in most of the cases. Like many
other things that are there on paper but not practiced, here too the results
are painfully obvious.

It is high time that those responsible get their act
right, as the stakes are extremely high.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Sarabjit Singh's murder in a Pakistan jail shocked and bewildered all of us. Occurring early last month, it led to a lot of speculation, with many knots left to be tied up. Soon after, in what seems like sheer retaliation, Sanaullah Ranjay succumbed to his injuries after brutal assault in a Jammu jail. This is not an India-Pakistan fight anymore; it is overstepping humanity itself.

An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind. And it is blind fanaticism here that has led to these two murders. Sarabjit and Sanaullah were two casualties in this blind fight to even the scales. And now their death has made them martyrs--martyrs due to blind, thoughtless actions.

It might be surprising to note the statistics that the Asian Centre for Human Rights offers. According to the report, a total of 14,231 persons (more than four per day) died in police and judicial custody in India from 2001 to 2010. Alarming yet? Here's what Mr Suhas Chakhma, director of ACHR, says: “About 99.99% of deaths in police custody can be ascribed to torture and
occur within 48 hours of the victims being taken into custody."

These are rather depraved statistics. But to look up from it all requires a mere inspection of the mentality of the people. As if India-Pakistan relations weren't strained enough, now we have another boulder in the way. Instead of beholding the two victims as possible preludes to peace, they will be portrayed as martyrs. Tensions will keep rising. More blood will boil. And look, we're back to where we started from.

Possible solutions? Mr Chakhma has an immediate one: that the government should enact the Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010. Just because we can't get to the root and change the mentality doesn't mean we become lax and complacent. And this Bill could do a lot to prevent further incidents if enforced appropriately. Since it's not simply an India-Pakistan thing; it's a humanity issue.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

During my tenure as president my
top most propriety was to participate in building local communities through projects
that would empower them in the long haul. Although this approach may seem
parochial but we had our eyes set on some substantial international projects as
well. When Rotaract club of RUPG approached us we could not have been happier.

The history of Pak-India relations has varied from very hostile to
diplomatically tolerant. It seems quite unnatural for two countries that share
so much in common to harbor enmity for each other. But when I finally got to interact with Rotarct
club of Mumbai, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that we shared similar
views on increased people-to-people contact from both sides of the border. We discussed disparate issues and future projects,
and the conversation proved to be highly productive and refreshing. We hope
continue such projects regardless of political environment in the hopes that
someday Pakistan and will learn to live with each other in peace.

RAC
Lahore has had another quite productive rotaract year. The activities that the
club conducted tried to cover all the heads that have been established by
Rotary International. The main focus has always been on the motto ‘service
above self’, so the activities that you will see listed here will have a lot of
community service activities. Added to these our club is fully committed to
have a representative international presence & therefore, we have
undertaken many International Projects with other Rotaract Clubs around the
globe. These activities we believe will not only help us make close bonds with
the rotaract community around the globe but will also represent the right image
of the people of Pakistan.

It is
never always about doing something at a huge level. Touching one life at a time
in a sustainable manner is the key that will bring real change and this is
something RAC Lahore is committed to.

The Joy Drive

The ‘Joy
Drive’ is another project that RAC Lahore is associated with since two years.
We are a group of people who want to spread smiles, make a difference and do
good unto others.

Every
year at the time of Eid-ul-Azah we pick a specific area that is dominated by
the laborers community and distribute among the children new clothes and toys
so that they too can join in the celebrations of Eid. We also include the
children’s’ ward and Thalessemia Centre at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in our
distribution activity.

This year
we distributed 250+ cloths, many toys in the said areas and the remaining cash
was given to the Eisaar Trust for its school for street children.

Meeting the Charge d affaires

Members
of the club were part of an exclusive meeting with theChargé d’affaires Ambassador Richard Hoagland. The invites
were sent by the US Consulate Lahore. Among the many different topics that were
discussed in the meeting, the members introduced RAC Lahore & its
activities as well.

Movie Club

We have started a movie club of sorts where we try to screen topic
oriented movies. Mostly so far the screenings have been associated with the
topic of environmental sustainability. However, the project is still in its
infancy and we intend to turn it into a permanent feature of our club.

Friday, May 24, 2013

This was an initiative that has always been a dream of sorts, ever since
I came to terms with the actual magnitude of the platform provided by
the Rotaract Movement's network. This organization has an unmatched
reach, and if capitalized on adequately, it can indeed make a
difference, in the true sense of the term.

I decided to do just that, as a project with a club in this country was
atop the check-list I had prepared for myself, when I prepared the
blue-print of my year on assuming my term as president. World
Peace day came along, and connecting with a club in Lahore seemed like a
project that would epitomize 'promotion of peace'. Various clubs were contacted, and we were lucky enough to seal the
deal with a club with people who are as friendly, enterprising,
ebullient as ourselves. We have the same wavelength, and the chemistry
has been crackling so far!

However, the Indo-Pak issue remains to be a sensitive one, and I
knew we were treading on thin ice on the eve of the day the video
conference was scheduled to happen. We encountered stiff resistance from
authorities who even feared for our safety, if the word was out.

But our resolve was unbending. We went ahead with it, and it was
one fruitful session that I am and will remain to be immensely proud of
this year! It was one of our most applauded initiatives, and the
consequences are going to be more and more apparent and felt by the day.

RCUPG… one club, five letters, yet, innumerable connotations! An object of envy for an outsider, a yearning for an
aspirant, a source of beautiful memories for its members, a channel to the
passion of its board of directors, a sense of pride for its alumni, a way of
life for its core team, and LIFE itself for its presidents!

And most importantly, an IDENTITY for all RCUPGites.

RCUPG is the UPG counterpart of the prestigious worldwide Rotaract
fraternity, with a well-established network in more than 206 countries. Rtr.
Husena Painter's unwavering resolve and relentless perseverance were
responsible for this club's inception in UPG College in the year 2010, and
well, the rest is history. With every passing year,
the club has witnessed an unwavering skyward-bound progress graph.

We’re
not just making tall claims, when it comes to that one. At the end of year
2011-12, under the leadership of Rtr. Juhi Shah, RCUPG was sitting atop at
rank No. 13,
amongst 138 clubs operating in our district. It is indeed competing in the
league of some of the most dynamic and powerful clubs in Mumbai- the likes of
The Rotaract Clubs of HR, Jai Hind and NM College, and was awarded the coveted
title of “The Most Upcoming Club” at the District Level Award ceremony. And
what’s baffling is that most of its peers have been in the movement since 20
years, while RCUPG is just three years old!

CLUB
CULTURE

This
enthusiastic and ambitious lot swears by their club cheer:

"Out to create history,
Minds are fresh and Souls are
free,
Take a wild guess who are we,
Rotaractors of U-P-G!"

This
can be the very definition of their spirit!

The motto of the movement reads,
“Self-development through fellowship and service”, which entails that the club
offers a platter of delicious dishes that ensured that its members had
an enlightening journey of self-fulfilment and satisfaction, coupled with an
exemplary, all-round, power-packed experience.

The
year 2012-13 was spearheaded by Rtr. Binjal Shah, fiercely passionate,
ambitious and unstoppable in her resolve to take this club to the pinnacle. And
under the tutelage of her and her livewire Board of Directors, the club has
surged into the league of the BEST and most sought after clubs around. This
year, the club has undertaken a mind-boggling NINETY SEVEN events, all round
the year.

Here’s
an insight into some of our most grand initiatives, that make for the brightest
jewels in our crown.

MAUJ-E-MANCH
2012

...Because
we believe everyone needs food, clothing, shelter and mauj! This was the inspiration behind the Rotaract Club of UPG
College's event 'Mauj-e-Manch'. Simply put, Mauj-e-Manch is a cultural extravaganza,
the largest in all of Mumbai, for the orphaned and underprivileged children of
Mumbai—a rare platform for them to show their hidden talents! Inviting about
700 children—from five to fifteen years of age, to exhibit their excellence in
all spheres of talent—literary, performing as well as fine arts. With a long
list of sponsors and PR tie-ups, this was nothing short of a glamorous college
festival, where the children also got the chance to meet people they had
‘always wished to meet’, as some celebrities graced the occasion with their
presence. Lesle Lewis and Dolly Bindra were courteous enough to come and spend
time with the kids. Upbeat Dolly Bindra energised all the children. Lesle Lewis
even performed for them, which had them truly spellbound!

FOOD BANK

It's amazing how pervasive food is. Every second
commercial is for food. Every second TV episode takes place around a meal. In
the city, you can't go ten feet without seeing or smelling a restaurant, but
somewhere, very nearby, there are people out there who have no job, no food,
nowhere to live. We initiated Food Bank, wherein we adopt 60
families in 6 months and provide them with food grains enough for them for at
least a month, in Mumbai’s most downtrodden area, Malwani, Malad. A phase two
is also going to follow, where we tie up with restaurants to make good use of
their leftovers every week.

Nanhe Haathon Se Maa Tujhe Salaam

We know what we
have when we see what others don’t have. What is Diwali for the ones at the border?
They celebrate Diwali throughout their lives on the sound of gun shots! We approached over 300 differently-abled
children at St. Teresa’s Convent Special School, Dilkhush Special School and
Shishu Bhavan and made Diwali greeting cards, diyas, lanterns etc and sent them
to the jawans at border to make them
feel special and remembered on such an auspicious festival.

PROJECT N.A.I.L. 2 – Nip It At Its Larva 2

N.A.I.L. 2 was a week-long project executed to
create awareness and prevent life threatening diseases like malaria and dengue
amongst people in Mumbai’s most critically malaria prone area, Madanpura
and the Slums at Reay Road (Kawla Bunder).

Approximately 5000
houses were covered in the initiative, with a population of over 15,000 people
were met with personally and explained about the ifs and thens and the dos
and don’ts in case of such diseases.
Also, for prevention of the same, we distributed Odomos- mosquito repellant
creams, mosquito nets and All-Out machines and most importantly, purified the
stored water in drums with abate solution in each dwelling in the area.

Glee

While it was a
household full of celebration for us, it was the depressing ambiance of a
hospital for some. While it was colorful crackers for us, its colorful pills
and medicines for some. Those are the children suffering from CANCER. We flashed the human streak in
us and joined hands to organize a whole day event with a magic show, a puppet
show and an entire entertainment package for the kids suffering from cancer at
TATA Hospital. We ended the event by giving goodie bags to each of them
consisting of apples, tiffin boxes, books and chocolates to more than 200 kids
suffering from cancer at TATA Hospital.

SCAVENGER TRAILS

The club services
team organized an adventure packed trek for RCUPGites to enjoy, as they scoured
through Sanjay Gandhi national park like scavengers completing tasks on the way
up to Kanheri Caves. They bonded over the sweat they shed to emerge as the
Toughest Scavengers!

Hijinks

After all the toil
and the burning of the midnight oil during exams, it was time to breathe free
and fly like a free bird. After the first half of the 2012 semester, RCUPG
organized a 2 day trip to Nagaon which is a 2-hour journey from Mumbai. RCUPGites
had the time of their lives sportingly availing the water sports that were
there on the beach.

Behind Closed Doors

This is the second
time Behind Closed Doors happened, in a greater scale and it was highly
successful yet again. The campaign was organized as an attempt to curb the
annoying Public Display of Affection in our city. It took place at the spot most notorious for the cause for
concern: Marine Drive. The most striking part of the event, apart from its
sheer character was the catchy one-liners which were employed, like:

“Bhaiya kuch toh sharam karo,

Ye sab apne ghar pe
karo!”

“You and your hottie, stop being naughty!”

The media presence like TV9
and the supporting crowd only added to the offenders' embarrassment.

Oye Birdie, Birdie Oye

Oye Birdie Birdie Oye is a month-long three-dimensional project to celebrate World Bird Day! The RCUPG team had gone to Gujarat to save the little birds and cure those
who get tied up in between the strings during kite flying. Along with that, we
had bought several caged birds and released them in the sky where they are
supposed to be. And finally, we distributed bird feeders to the birds all over
Mumbai.

Nuts over Nutella

Nutella – God’s
gift to mankind! To celebrate World Nutella Day, RCUPG came up with a perfect
event that includes an International twist! Each team where given countries along
with a jar of Nutella and other confectionaries like bread, chocolate
sprinkles, chocolate sticks, milk etc, from where they had to hunt down a
famous monument and create it with all the things provided.

Zauber—The Hunt for 3140's Human Dictionary

Zauber was a
literary (language, to be more specific) event to determine ‘3140’s Human
Dictionary’! Editors and members from Rotaract Clubs across the District were
invited to participate. We had three rounds, from a straightforward spelling
round to a Scrabble game to the final Anagrams round. It saw about 38
participants fight for a trophy over different difficulty levels that tested
their skill and quick thinking.

Any Time Memory

A good memory is always hailed and RCUPG
brought forth a workshop to enable
little tricks to make this ordeal a lot simpler.

Boogie Nexus

Drawing from the
principle that dancing is one of the activities that polishes an individual
from the core, we aimed at providing students a chance to develop their
personality through this art form. The workshop was conceived in the manner
that each month will bring to the students a new art form right in the college.

Viva Las Vegas

Viva Las
Vegas was an exuberant and elite Casino and Lounge party where the RCUPGites
had the time of their lives from spinning their luck in the roulette to quoting
bets on the poker table. It was an evening where their luck could take them
places... And well, if it did not, they could still dance their sorrows away to the
most happening numbers! After a thumping round
of games ranging from Poker, Black Jack, Roullete, Craps, Jackpot to 7 up 7
down, RCUPGites let their hair down to commercial house music with all the
strength left.

Friday, November 23, 2012

The India-Pakistan relationship has been strained for years
and years. Today’s youth largely believes that these communal differences
should not be used as a base for any conflicts. Why not put aside our
differences and explore similarities between the two countries? (And yes, there
are many!)

And so, what we aim to do through this sister-club agreement
of RC UPG and RC Lahore is bring to the fore concepts, ideas, vehicles for
change that are in our capacity. This blog is only a part of it. But what we’ll explore in the blog will be matters
pertaining to the youth of both countries, who have more things in common than
they might have thought! We’ll address issues and more importantly, talk about
the overlapping culture of the two countries.

Along with our thoughts and ideas and interpretations, we’ll
be also talking about any upcoming joint events. We hope to pass a message of goodwill and peace. This is a
big issue that we wish to take a small positive step towards. In our own way,
we could make a difference. After all, it’s an India-Pakistan thing!

RAC Lahore Says......

Pakistan & India are sibling countries, who share a
rich culture & history. Unfortunately, since partitions the relations
between the two countries have always been difficult. This is the exact
opposite of what the founding fathers had in mind. The result has been the
suffering of the people on both the sides.

The past cannot be changed, but the future can be & it
is high time that the future of the relation between the two countries be set
in the positive direction. Youth from both sides of the boarder want change
& are involved in activities that are aimed at bringing the people on both
sides closer.

This joint blog by RCUPG & RAC Lahore is one such small
contribution in the direction of a peaceful & prosperous future. The motto
of Rotary/Rotaract is ‘Service above self’ & this forum will be used to
look for innovative solutions for our problems, which are so similar. The
people have the same issues but their causes are ignored because all the energy
is wasted in dividing the people.